NEWS & PRESS
Concord Music Publishing ANZ welcomes The Beths
Concord Music Publishing ANZ today announce a new worldwide publishing agreement with New Zealand indie-rock band The Beths. Hailing from TÄmaki Makaurau (Auckland), The Beths exuberant sound moves deftly from blistering power-pop and punk to heartstring-tugging balladry and jangle-rock. Their growing catalogue of...more
Warner Chappell Production music expands trailer offerings with new music destination and catalog
Warner Chappell Production Music (WCPM) has launched The Fixation Collection, a curated destination for high-impact trailer and promo music, alongside the debut of Catalyst, a new, specialized trailer catalog. The Fixation Collection features a carefully chosen selection of trailer music from WCPM's extensive...more
First artists announced for Little Simz' Meltdown at the Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre has announced the much-anticipated first wave of artists performing at Little Simz' Meltdown. Taking place this summer from Thursday 12 - Sunday 22 June, Little Simz is assembling an outstanding line-up of artists that defy genre, forge new musical ideas and...more
Music entertainment management company ranked no.2 at UK's Best Workplaces 2025
London-based entertainment travel management company, Music First Partnership, is celebrating The BFP Collection being officially ranked No. 2 in the UK's Best Workplaces™ 2025, by Great Place to Work®, the global authority on workplace culture. The prestigious recognition highlights the company's...more
48 Hours to Avert Crisis: Industry Leaders Warn Chancellor on Spring Budget
Today, a coalition of trade bodies and associations representing over 100,000 businesses across the UK’s night-time economy, cultural sector, and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in hospitality, events, supply and entertainment have formally written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging immediate...more
Warner Music France launches Adore Music
A new chapter for dance music begins today with the launch of Adore Music, Warner Music France's dedicated dance label. Designed to bring together both emerging and established talent, Adore Music will showcase the best dance music to the world. Adore...more
Reaction from UK Music to Ed Sheeran letter
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: "The alarm bells are ringing and there is a crisis in music education. Over the years there have been real term cuts in funding, budgetary shortfalls, fewer music teachers and declining participation in GCSE...more
Ed Sheeran spearheads open letter to Sir Keir Starmer & UK government advocating for music education funding
SHEERAN'S LETTER IS BACKED BY LEADING MUSIC INDUSTRY FIGURES INCLUDING...HARRY STYLES, CENTRAL CEE, COLDPLAY, STORMZY, ELTON JOHN, DAVE, YOLANDA BROWN, MYLES SMITH, PALOMA FAITH, ANNIE LENNOX, SLEAFORD MODS & MORE ED SHEERAN FOUNDATION OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN JANUARY 2025 Ed Sheeran has written...more
Merlin Engage Returns for Third Year, Strengthening Community in the Next Generation of Female Leaders
Now entering its third year, Merlin Engage is a pioneering mentorship program to empower women within Merlin's global independent music community. This year, the program expands its focus to foster stronger community-building and welcomes a new cohort of experienced mentors....more
AI is supercharging majors' data analysis. Indies need to assemble or get left behind
Comment: Henrik Hansen - Business Lead, Rough Bones Much of the conversation around artificial intelligence in music has centered on its existential threat to human creativity. We've all seen the headlines about AI-generated songs mimicking artists' voices and the looming copyright battles...more
Reservoir announces publishing deal with R&B songwriter and performer El DeBarge
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a new publishing deal with five-time Grammy-nominated R&B songwriter and performer El DeBarge. The deal includes hits from his catalog as a solo artist and as a member...more
Frontiers Music announces signing of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Frontiers Music Srl is thrilled to announce the signing of Lynyrd Skynyrd, one of the most legendary and enduring bands in rock history. This partnership celebrates the band’s incredible legacy while looking ahead to exciting new projects. As part of this...more
TMG sign multi-year commitment to host Afro Nation in Portugal
Global entertainment company TMG has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering world class events including Afro Nation festival in Portimão, Portugal, by signing a long-term, multi-year exclusive site license agreement. The renewed partnership was officially signed during a special presentation at Better...more
U2 to receive one of songwriting's highest honours: Fellowship of the Ivors Academy
BONO, THE EDGE, ADAM CLAYTON AND LARRY MULLEN JR. BECOME THE FIRST IRISH SONGWRITERS TO BE BESTOWED WITH THE IVORS ACADEMY'S GREATEST ACCOLADE SELECTED BY FELLOW SONGWRITERS, FELLOWSHIP RECOGNISES U2'S ENDURING INFLUENCE AND IMPACT ON THE CRAFT OF SONGWRITING U2 will be inducted...more
Downtown Neighbouring Rights Sign Worldwide Deal with Jason Mraz
Worldwide agreement will see Downtown Neighbouring Rights represent the award-winning artist and songwriter’s extensive catalog, including hits ‘I’m Yours,’ ‘Lucky,’ and ‘I Won’t Give Up.’ Downtown Neighbouring Rights (DNR) has today announced a worldwide neighbouring rights agreement with acclaimed Multi-Platinum artist...more
Belfast named UK's top location for pub gigs as PRS for Music and BBPA launch "Pubs Go Live"
New research reveals the UK's top pub gigs hotspots as music stars back a nationwide celebration of live music in pubs · Belfast ranks as the UK's leading location for live music in pubs, followed by Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol and Brighton · PRS for...more
UK Music response to Technology Secretary visit to US to see AI firms
Responding to Technology Secretary Peter Kyle’s visit to the States to meet tech firms, UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: "We fully support the ambition to make the UK a global hub for investment and expertise in Artificial Intelligence. "However, Government's...more
ATC Group promote Ric Salmon to the new position of Chief Growth Officer
ATC Group is pleased to announce the promotion of Ric Salmon to the newly-created position of Chief Growth Officer. A highly experienced music executive and entrepreneur, Ric has worked with ATC for ten years, representing a wide range of artists, including...more
Italian recorded music revenues rise by 8.5% in 2024 – Italy is the third-largest market in EU, growing more than global and regional averages
It's the seventh consecutive year of growth FIMI publishes its exclusive 2024 Report For the seventh consecutive year of growth, the Italian recorded music market confirms its vitality with an overall increase of 8.5% in 2024, reaching almost half a billion euros (461.2 million)...more
David Israelite announced as speaker at The Ivors Academy Summit
David Israelite, President and CEO of the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) has been confirmed as a speaker for The Ivors Academy Summit on 20 May at BFI IMAX, London. As head of the NMPA since 2005, David plays an important...more
Tuned Global Partners with Zetaris to Turn Music Data into Gold via AI Analytics
Now anyone can query scattered music data sources to discover a potential goldmine of insights—including fraud detection—thanks to Tuned Global's expanded AI-driven data analytics, powered by Zetaris. Music streaming generates millions of data points per second. This data represents a massive...more
Stormzy to receive Honorary Doctorate from Cambridge University
MARKS STORMZY'S SECOND HONORARY DOCTORATE TO DATE It has been announced today that Stormzy will be among eight distinguished individuals awarded honorary doctorates by Cambridge University in 2025. The University Council nominated all eight recipients, who will be formally admitted at a special Congregation...more
Sony Music Publishing Signs Freya Ridings to Global Deal
Sony Music Publishing UK today announced the signing of celebrated singer-songwriter Freya Ridings to an exclusive global publishing agreement. Famed for an honest, raw and powerful songwriting style, this creative partnership will cover Ridings’ future works, including her upcoming anticipated third...more
IFPI Report: Gee Davy (AIM CEO) comment
Gee Davy, CEO at AIM, said: "It is certainly encouraging to see the UK retain its top 3 spot globally and recorded music revenues continue to show growth. All the same, fast action is needed to support the UK's music...more
IFPI: Amidst highly competitive market, global recorded music revenues grew 4.8% in 2024
Paid subscription streaming key revenue driver; all regions deliver growth Music companies embrace AI’s opportunities Read IFPI’s Global Music Report 2025 - State of the Industry here.The Premium Edition of the IFPI Global Music Report 2025, also available today here. Global recorded music revenues have grown for the tenth consecutive...more
The Cure's Robert Smith to curate Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 2026
The essential concert series New 2025 Saturday headlinerA special Erased Tapes event:Penguin CafeDaniel BrandtDouglas DareHatis Noit Announcing Our 2026 guest curator - Robert Smith (The Cure) www.teenagecancertrust.org/gigs Teenage Cancer Trust is pleased to announce a special bill for Saturday 29th March 2025 at the Royal...more
Edition Capital Acquires Sebastian Mclean International Limited, Expands Investment Strategy in Its 10th Year
Edition Capital Limited (‘Edition’), a leading entertainment professional services group, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Sebastian Mclean International Limited (‘SMI’), a specialist insurance brokerage serving the entertainment sector. SMI has built a strong reputation for delivering tailored insurance solutions...more
Clubbing TV Announces Inaugural Rave Photographies of the Year 2025
An international photography competition celebrating the essence of electronic music culture and nightlife through visual storytelling. Clubbing TV is thrilled to announce the launch of “Rave Photography of the Year 2025”, an international competition dedicated to showcasing the best photo shots...more
Musical AI and First Rule Join Forces to Create Fully Licensed Generative AI for Music Artists
Musical AI, the AI rights management platform for music and audio, is collaborating with First Rule, a new Nashville-based artist-model platform and VST plugin, to build fully licensed AI agents and models that support music makers. Musical AI will provide licensed...more
Groundbreaking Documentary & Website, The Record Store & Black Music: England's Tastemakers Unveiled by 2Funky Arts
A new documentary and website delve into the cultural and social significance of England’s independent record shops that specialised in Black music. Tracing their impact through the decades, the project highlights the crucial role these stores played in shaping UK...more
THE HEADLINES
AI: Minister Peter Kyle promises government will ‘prioritise . . . forward movement’ (see News)
CMA throws its weight behind government plans to cap ticket resale prices (see News)
Ed Sheeran calls for UK to put £250m into music education (see News)
What's the perfect song length? (see Analysis)
AI is supercharging majors' data analysis. Indies need to assemble or get left behind (see Opinion)
IFPI's annual Global Music Report - all the stats and analysis (see Reports)
RIAA 2024 Report: On-demand streaming subs top 100m in the US (see Reports)